4/15/2022: Elon Musk Wants Twitter

PLUS: Major Bites, “Grease” Actor Arrested, and Harry & Meghan Visit The Queen

Apr 15, 2022

Today is Friday, April 15, 2022

It is the 105th day of the year.

260 days remain.

HIT LIST

Just as speculated earlier this week, Elon Musk wants all of Twitter – not just a majority stake; all of it.

He announced Thursday morning he made a formal offer to buy all Twitter shares for around $41 billion. In a note to the Chairman of Twitter’s board, Musk said this was his best and final offer and wasn’t interested in negotiating.

Musk also said if the offer is rejected, he’ll sell his 10% stake, which could cause Twitter’s stock value to crater. This could, in turn, trigger a shareholder lawsuit against the board for rejecting an offer in their best interest.

In an interview that circulated Thursday morning, Musk also said he had a “plan B” if the board rejected the buyout offer, but refused to give more details.

The move will certainly face heavy scrutiny by regulators.

Leftist activists and journalists — but what’s the difference? — have been losing their mind over the prospect of Musk returning Twitter to its absolute free speech roots, in fact calling for stronger censorship under the guise of “content moderation.”

IN OTHER WORDS: The guy who is making zero-emission cars, developing alternatives to single vehicle transportation, and privatizing space exploration so the government doesn’t have to (remember when former President Barack Obama wanted to refocus NASA to work on social justice?) is leaving liberals in an absolute tizzy because he’s committed to free speech in a free society. Who, really, are the liberals anyway?

MEANWHILE: NFTs may have already totally crashed. Last year, Twitter founder Jack Dorsey sold his first tweet as an NFT at auction for nearly $3 million. It just went back up for sale – and got a mere $280. (Perhaps coincidentally, tweets are limited to 280 characters).

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Remember the clip of Ukrainian soldiers telling a Russian destroyer to go ef itself in the early days of the invasion?

Russian news agency TASS reports that ship, called the Moskva, has been sunk.

Ukrainian officials say one of their weapons was responsible for blasting the ship to pieces, while Russians vaguely say the detonation of ammunition damaged the ship and sank as a result of stormy seas.

The Moskva was the crown jewel of Russia’s Black Sea fleet.

BY THE WAY: “Moskva” is Russian for “Moscow.” So it would be like a huge, deadly ship called the Washington DC getting blown up in battle.

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Despite lockdowns keeping everyone apart, some sexually transmitted diseases hit historic levels in 2020. There were 678,000 gonorrhea cases and 144,000 syphilis cases nationally. Overall, STD cases were down, but that decrease is attributed to an overall decrease in testing.

Mississippi and Louisiana were the states with the highest rates of infection.

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Last summer, a video of an unhinged American Airlines passenger went viral after she started yelling at the crew and tried to open the escape door mid-flight. She was eventually detained and duct taped to her seat.

Now, she faces an $81,950 fine, which is believed to be the largest ever handed down by the Federal Aviation Administration.

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Here’s one hell of a headline from DailyMail:

“Two inmates at all-women's New Jersey jail are PREGNANT after both had sex with transgender prisoners: ACLU won battle to house 27 trans inmates there”

WORTH NOTING: It is unclear if the pregnant inmates had sex with the same woman with a penis or not, which is a very normal sentence to say.

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CHARTS

New to Hulu:

Black Death (Rotten Tomatoes Score: 71%)

New to Netflix:

Choose or Die (Rotten Tomatoes Score: Not Rated)
Man of God (Rotten Tomatoes Score: Not Rated)

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DEATHS

ARCHIE EVERSOLE has died.

The rapper, best known for his hit song “We Ready,” passed away on April 3. Multiple outlets claim he was fatally shot by his brother at a gas station. This has not yet been confirmed by his rep or family members.

He was 37.

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JEFF KLEIN has died.

The former Auburn QB passed away Wednesday after a battle with cancer.

He was 42.

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TIM FEERICK has died.

The longtime bassist for Dance Gavin Dance passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, according to a social media post from his bandmates. No cause of death was shared.

He was 34.

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THE SWAMP

California Democrat Senator DIANNE FEINSTEIN is hobbled by old age and no longer able to do her job, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Aides and Senate colleagues said off the record she struggles to remember recent conversations and will often repeat the same question multiple times in discussions.

She’s not up for re-election until 2024.

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The United States Treasury collected more than $2.1 trillion in taxes over the last six months, a remarkable record.

This comes with the Trump-era tax cuts still in effect.

WORTH ASKING: If lower taxes demonstrably bring in more revenue for the federal government, why do Democrats still argue for more taxes? Is it possible revenue isn’t the problem, but insane, unchecked, uncontrolled, poorly-managed spending by a bunch of power-hungry politically-motivated whores is?

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Secret Service agents are very unhappy over the behavior of former First Family dog Major, who a few months ago was sent to another, undisclosed location and totally not put down.

After a few weeks in the White House, Major reportedly bit members of the staff, including the security staff. New notes and texts published by Judicial Watch reveal the dog bit someone every day for a period of eight days. In at least one case, the bite punctured skin.

IT GETS WORSE: While White House Media Commissar JEN PSAKI lied to reporters that Major “was surprised by an unfamiliar person and reacted in a way that resulted in a minor injury to the individual,” the victim begged to differ.

“NO I didn’t surprise the dog doing my job … as the press secretary just said! Now I’m pissed,” the agent said in a message to a colleague.

IT GETS WORSE YET: That same agent even submitted a detailed report about the dog biting through his peacoat, requesting that it be replaced at the Secret Service’s cost.

But his superior said the report was too detailed, and the agent was pressured to tone down the language in order to get his reimbursement.

Ultimately, the agent said he didn’t want taxpayers to foot the bill for the Biden family’s insane, violent dog – and instead the First Family should pay to replace it.

IN OTHER WORDS: The Secret Service higher-ups are silencing the victim of the president’s wild, untrained, dangerous dog and there is no indication the Biden’s themselves apologized to the agent or made any effort to make things right.

WORTH ASKING: If Joe and Jill Biden can’t raise a dog, what hope does hooker-buying, laptop-losing, money-laundering crackhead son Hunter possibly have?

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LOTTERY

A winning Mega Millions ticket was sold in Minnesota. The winner has the option of the $106 million jackpot or $64.5 million cash payout.

Tonight’s drawing will be for a $20 million jackpot or a $12.1 million cash payout.

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No winner for Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing. Saturday night’s drawing will be for a $325 million jackpot or a $201.2 million cash payout.

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SHOWBIZ NEWS

These albums drop today:

Bobby Cole, “A Point of View"
Bodysync, “Radio Active”
Chad Fowler & Matthew Shipp, “Old Stories”
Jerry Paper, “Free Throw”
Koloah, “Serenity”
Kurt Vile, “(watch my moves)”
Leikeli47, “Shape Up”
Swedish House Mafia, “Paradise Again”

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BEN AFFLECK and JENNIFER LOPEZ had to be rescued by paparazzi while on their morning Starbucks run earlier this week.

While trying to navigate a tricky turn into the drive-thru, Ben got a sign stuck in his back rim. Some nearby photogs sprung into action, pulling the sign from the wheel.

Ben even asked the paps to help him navigate the turn in.

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ALEC BALDWIN is clarifying why he continues to have children.

The actor posted a video to Instagram this week of his daughter Maria Lucia showing off her new front teeth. He captioned the clip, “People ask why. This is why. Being a parent is the ultimate journey.”

As previously reported, Alec’s wife HILARIA BALDWIN is expecting the couple’s seventh child. Alec is also dad to 26-year-old IRELAND BALDWIN, whom he shares with his ex-wife KIM BASINGER.

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ROBIN ROBERTS celebrated 20 years on “Good Morning America” yesterday.

The 61-year-old said she is “incredibly grateful” and “truly humbled” by the milestone.

Robin’s co-anchor, GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS called her the “heart of GMA.”

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DREW BARRYMORE, CAMILA CABELLO, KIM CATTRALL, QUEEN LATIFAH, AMANDA SEYFRIED and VENUS WILLIAMS will be honored at Variety’s 2022 Power of Women event on May 5.

The event “gathers an intimate group of philanthropic women who have been selected as Variety’s honorees as well as the most powerful women working in media and entertainment,” per a press release.

Each of the honorees will be featured on a cover of the magazine’s Power of Women issue, available May 4.

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“Wheel of Fortune” fans were shocked by a recent comment host PAT SAJAK made to letter-turner VANA WHITE.

In what many are referring to as a #MeToo moment, Sajak asked White if she was an “opera buff,” after one of the show’s contestants revealed she is a professional opera singer.

White responded, saying “Yes. I’m not a buff, but I like opera.”

This is where things got weird….

Sajak’s follow-up question was “Have you ever watched opera in the buff?” I'm just curious.” To which White firmly replied, “No” before laughing it off.

Social media users were quick to call out Sajak’s question, with some even seeking his termination.

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Actress KALEY CUOCO, who is in the middle of a divorce from KARL COOK, says she has no plans to ever walk down the aisle again.

“I will never get married again,” Cuoco told Glamour magazine in the interview for her April 2022 cover shoot.

She further explained that while she is open to a “long-lasting relationship,” she does not plan to ever make it an official union.

As previously reported, Cuoco filed for divorce from Cook in September 2021 after 3 years of marriage. She was also previously married to tennis player RYAN SWEETING from 2013 to 2016.

WORTH NOTING: After her divorce from Sweeting, she also said she never planned to marry again, so…

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GILBERT GOTTFRIED was laid to rest on Thursday.

The comedian’s loved ones took turns sharing stories that made those in the pews laugh and cry.

Gottfried’s longtime friend, and fellow comedian, JEFF ROSS eulogized the 67-year-old, who he said is “survived by his wife, and sister, two great kids and over 12,000 bottles of shampoo.”

As previously reported, Gottfried passed away on Tuesday.

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MARY J. BLIGE will be honored with the Billboard Icon Award at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards.

The award will be her 11th Billboard Music Award.

The awards show is set for May 15 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

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CASTING CALL

FRANK LANGELLA has been canned from Netflix’s limited series, “The Fall of the House of Usher.”

His firing comes after several sexual misconduct allegations were made by female cast members and crew.

The 84-year-old’s role of Roderick Usher will be recast.

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ZAK BAGANS has signed a three-year deal with Discovery+.

Under the contract, Bagans will star in and produce over 100 hours of supernatural and horror content for the streamer, including his hit show, “Ghost Adventures,” according to Deadline.

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SELMA HAYEK has joined the cast of “Magic Mike’s The Last Dance” following THANDIWE NEWTON’s exit.

Some outlets report that Newton left the project after a disagreement with star of the franchise CHANNING TATUM, though a source close to her says the reports are “false.”

Plot details for the movie are unknown.

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Two actors with Down syndrome are marking their starring debut in an upcoming Hallmark film.

The network told ET that they are “diversifying” their content, starting with “Color My World With Love,” starring actress LILY D. MOORE and actor DAVID DESANCTIS.

The movie will air later this year.

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CELEBRITY CELLBLOCK

EDDIE DEEZEN was arrested earlier this month after allegedly trespassing at a nursing home.

The 65-year-old actor, known for his role as Eugene in “Grease,” was charged with fourth-degree burglary, two counts of trespassing and one count of disturbing the peace.

He remains behind bars, according to court records obtained by TMZ.

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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS

KANYE WEST seems unsure of what he wants to do with the home he purchased that is located right next to the one he used to share with KIM KARDASHIAN.

As previously reported, Ye bought the property in December, when he was still trying to win Kim back. At the time, insiders told TMZ that he planned to totally gut the house, but as of this week, no construction permits have been taken out.

IN THE MEANTIME: Ye is renovating his Malibu beach home that he paid nearly $60 million for, so maybe that is causing a delay on the other property.

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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS

PRINCE HARRY and MEGHAN MARKLE made a pitstop in the UK while on their way to the Netherlands for this weekend’s Invictus Games. It is their first time back -- together -- since leaving in January 2020.

Insiders told TMZ that the couple flew first class to London on Tuesday night, with lots of security in tow.

In a shocking turn of events, they visited QUEEN ELIZABETH and PRINCE CHARLES, in what many believe was a possible attempt to smooth things over.

Harry & Meg’s children, Archie and Lilibet, are not on the trip.

WORTH NOTING: The visit comes just a week ahead of Her Majesty’s 96th birthday, which is April 21.

IN OTHER ROYAL NEWS: The Queen will not attend Easter Sunday services at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle this weekend, according to a statement from The Palace. Insiders believe it is due to several health issues she has been dealing with.

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SPORTS

Track star ALLYSON FELIX, 36, is retiring.

Her last major meets will be the US championships from June 23-26 and the world championships, which are July 15-24.

Felix’s impressive career has earned her a record 13 gold medals and 18 overall medals from world championships.

She left the Tokyo Games with more Olympic medals than any US track and field athlete in history — earning her 10th and 11th. Felix is behind only one runner in history, Finland’s PAAVO NURMI, who won 12 medals between 1920 and 1928.

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LIST OF THE WEEK

Ten Most Popular Shows On Netflix Right Now

(Courtesy of Netflix)

The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On
Bridgerton
Queen of the South
Better Call Saul
Elite
Inventing Anna
CoComelon
Is It Cake?
Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story
Green Eggs and Ham: The Second Serving

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DAY OF THE YEAR

National Glazed Spiral Ham Day

National Rubber Eraser Day

National Take a Wild Guess Day

National Tax Day

National Titanic Remembrance Day

Purple Up! Day

Good Friday

National Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet Day

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ON THIS DATE

1783 - The American Revolution draws closer to an end.

The Continental Congress ratifies a peace treaty with Britain that had been signed five months earlier. But it wasn't until September that year that the Treaty of Paris was signed and formalized American sovereignty.

This document established the western border of the new country as the Mississippi River, gave America fishing rights in Newfoundland, and guaranteed that Loyalists would be returned any property seized from them during the conflict.

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1865 - Nine hours after being shot by actor John Wilkes Booth, President Lincoln succumbs to the gunshot to the head.

He was unconscious during that time, and had been moved to a nearby boarding house. An Army surgeon in attendance at the play came over to help the president. It was initially thought by the crowd that he was stabbed, not shot. But the giant hole in the head begged to differ.

Booth initially escaped Ford's Theater, where he shot the president. He was tracked down 10 days later on a farm in Virginia.

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1947 - Jackie Robinson starts for the Brooklyn Dodgers, making him the first African-American to play Major League ball. Since its inception in America, professional baseball had been segregated.

Robinson began in the Negro American League after serving in the military. But his talent was noticed by Branch Rickey, the Dodgers GM, who helped foster and develop Robinson's career.

His number was the first to be retired across the entire league, also on this date, in 1997.

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1998 - Pol Pot dies in prison.

The Cambodian despot was responsible for the killing fields that murdered anyone who was a threat to Pot's vision of an agrarian communist state. Anyone using modern technology as simple as wristwatches or glasses, along with intellectuals, or anyone who embraced any semblance of western culture, were among those murdered.

Those who remained were herded into government-supported communes.

Pot and his troops were forced into the jungle in 1978, after Vietnamese troops invaded Cambodia.

But his own Khmer Rouge turned on him and put him on trial in 1997. His body was never analyzed by a medical inspector, and it is thought he either committed suicide or was poisoned while under house arrest.

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2013 - Justin Bieber inflames controversy with the note he leaves at the Anne Frank museum in Amsterdam.

He wrote that he hoped Frank would’ve been a Belieber — the name his ardent fans gave themselves.

While social media collectively wet their pants, the director of the Anti-Defamation League publicly noted that Frank was a big fan of pop culture and celebrities — and that Justin’s note was actually “a nice thing.”

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2013 - Three people are killed and more than 260 injured after two explosions near the finish line of the Boston Marathon.

After an intense manhunt, police captured one of the two bombing suspects, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19. His older brother and fellow suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, died during a shootout with officers.

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2019 - Notre Dame catches fire, topping its spire and destroying its roof.

Over 500 French firefighters were able to save the cathedral from complete destruction, while relics such as The Crown of Thorns and the Tunic of St. Louis were saved by residents.

The fire was ruled an accident.

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2020 - This date (at the time) was the US’s deadliest day during the COVID-19 pandemic with 2,752 deaths reported.

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BIRTHDAYS

Maisie Williams - actress, “Game of Thrones” - 25

Cody Christian - actor, “Pretty Little Liars” & “Teen Wolf” - 27

Jacquees - R&B singer - 28

Emma Watson - actress, “Harry Potter” films - 32

Samira Wiley - actress, “Orange Is the New Black” - 35

Ester Dean - pop singer - 36

Seth Rogan - actor, “Knocked Up” & “Superbad” - 40

Luke Evans - actor, “Immortals” & “Beauty and the Beast” - 43

Cooper Barnes - actor, “Henry Danger” & “Cold Case” - 43

Chris Stapleton - country singer - 44

Luis Fonsi - pop singer - 44

Emma Thompson - actress, “Howards End” & “Nanny McPhee” - 63

Born On This Date

Elizabeth Montgomery - actress, “Bewitched” - 1933 (d. 1995)

Kim II-Sung - North Korea Supreme Leader - 1912 (d. 1994)

Guru Nanak - religious leader, founder of Sikhism - 1496 (d. 1539)

Leonardo da Vinci - painter - 1452 (d. 1519)

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